Philiposian, 41, has been the COB
of Seawolf, homeported at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton,
Wash., since December 2012. He has been
administratively reassigned to Submarine Development Squadron 5 in Bangor,
Wash., Seawolf’s homeport.

“All options are under
consideration, which will include installing a fully qualified chief of the
boat,” he said. Command Master Chief (SS/SW) Jared Hofer, Submarine Development
Squadron 5’s CMC, is the acting COB.

DeWalt could not elaborate on the
circumstances of the relief, only that it was a “performance-based issue” and
did not stem from a single incident.

Philiposian enlisted in July 1989
and was previously assigned to Submarine Squadron 1 in Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii. His awards
include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Military
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, DeWalt said.